and it is disliked for a woman to accompany the procession, or for voices to be raised during it. It is forbidden to follow it when a wrongdoing is taking place that one is unable to remove, and it is disliked for those accompanying the bier to sit down before it is set down for burial.

Only the grave of a woman is to be screened with a cloth.

The side-niche grave (laḥd) is preferable: the deceased is laid in it on his right side facing the qiblah, and the niche is covered with unfired bricks. The one lowering him says:

“In the name of Allah, and upon the creed of the Messenger of Allah.”

The grave is raised above the ground about a hand-span and given a rounded shape. Coating it with mud is permissible, but plastering it, building on it, writing on it, sitting or walking on it, leaning against it, or walking through a cemetery in shoes without need are all disliked. It is unlawful to bury two or more people in a single grave without necessity; if necessity arises, a barrier of earth is placed between them. Reciting Qur’an at the grave is recommended, as is placing something fresh, such as a green palm stalk, upon it.

Any act of devotion a person performs and then assigns its reward to a Muslim—whether living or dead—will benefit that person.

It is recommended to prepare food for the family of the deceased and send it to them for three days, while it is disliked for them to prepare food for the public.

Visiting graves is a Sunnah for men. When he passes by them he says:

“Peace be upon you, dwellers of these abodes from among the believers⦗1⦘. Indeed, if Allah wills, we shall soon join you. May Allah have mercy on those of you who have gone ahead and those who remain behind. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. O Allah, do not deprive us of their reward, do not lead us astray after them, and forgive us and them.”⦗2⦘

Offering condolences to the bereaved is also recommended.

It is unlawful to engage in vociferous lamentation, wailing, slapping the cheeks, tearing the clothes, and the like; mere weeping, however, is not prohibited.